Storage system for refrigerators and other storage units and a method of using the storage system

ABSTRACT

A storage system for refrigerators and other storage units and a method of using the storage system. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA

This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/US2017/038006, filed on Jun. 16, 2017, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/351,315, filedon Jun. 17, 2016, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 62/521,232, filed on Jun. 16, 2017. International PatentApplication No. PCT/US2017/038006 was pending as of the filing date ofthis application. The United States was an elected state inInternational Patent Application No. PCT/US2017/038006.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field:

The present application relates to a storage system for refrigeratorsand other storage units and a method of using the storage system.

The present application also relates to a refrigerator storage systemfor storing perishable items.

The present application further relates to a storage system comprised ofmultiple apparatuses to allow a user to fill, store, and reuse plasticresealable bags, such as ziplock bags, to store food and nonfood itemssimply and easily.

2. Background Information:

Background information is for informational purposes only and does notnecessarily admit that subsequently mentioned information andpublications are prior art.

Normally solid-walled or formed or molded plastic storage containers canbe used to store food and nonfood items and place those containers in arefrigerator for food items and cupboards and other areas of storage forboth non-perishable food and nonfood items. These containers take upmuch space in the storage area, are hard to see the contents inside thecontainer, and, when not storing food or nonfood items, take up a largeamount of space wherever they are stored.

When using such plastic storage containers for food stored in therefrigerator, the containers can become lost, in a sense, or placed outof sight, and eventually the food spoils or dries out and must bedisposed of. More often than not the containers are just thrown awaybecause the user would rather not clean the container due to thespoiling food inside.

One alternative to such plastic storage containers would be to useziplock bags. However, to use ziplock bags, one needs to be able to fillthe bags easily without getting spillage on the zip-locking part of thebag, then to be able to store the ziplock bags conveniently with theability to easily see the stored ziplock bags in a refrigerator, in acupboard, or on a wall, to therefore allow the user to easily see thecontents of the bag contained therein. It also may be useful to allowthe user to store the items in a freezer for easy reuse and compactstorage of the ziplock-bagged items, or to provide a user-friendlyapparatus that allows the user to easily recycle the bags by washingthem in a dishwasher therefore totally completing the cycle from startto finish.

To date there is currently unavailable to the consumer market anapparatus system that allows the user to fill, store in sight, freezeand store compactly, and recycle ziplock bags easily and effectively.

Because of the design of these items it lends itself to be easily usedby the intended person desiring to fill and store items easily. Storingitems in plastic ziplock bags can significantly reduce the amount ofspace necessary to store items and significantly reduce the spacerequired to store solid-walled plastic storage containers when not inuse. Storing food in plastic ziplock bags also helps preserve the fooditems contained therein by minimizing the air space inside the ziplockbag. In essence, the food can last longer because the extra space insidethe ziplock bag can be squished out and exhausted and the bag sealed up,thereby reducing the amount of available oxygen inside the bag.

There are 124.6 million households in the United States alone, thisapparatus system lends itself to a fairly low production cost withminimal handling or assembly. The ease of use to the consumer adds tothe appeal and the usability of the apparatus and system and can savethe average family time in filling the storage ziplock bags, save timein storing the ziplock bags and allow families to effectively see andlocate and reuse items stored in the refrigerator as well as otherlocations for food and nonfood items.

OBJECT OR OBJECTS

An object of this application is to provide a plastic storage bagholding apparatus and method.

SUMMARY

Plastic ziplock bags have been around for quite some time and used formultipurpose needs of individuals. Traditionally food and nonfood itemswould be stored in plastic containers and placed in the refrigerator orfreezer for food item storage or on shelves and whatnot for non-fooditem storage.

One of the problems with storing food in ziplock bags is the ability toget the contents inside the bag effectively without making a mess on thebag, or spilling the food that is to go inside the bag even before thefood gets into the bag, let alone find some way to store the items foruse at a later date.

The food or nonfood storage system is comprised of a way to get theitems as contents inside ziplock bags, efficiently and effectively storethe ziplock bags in an easy and convenient way, and allowing theconsumer to store ziplock bags with the desired contents in specificallydesired ways.

The food or nonfood storage system provides consumers a way to fillziplock bags without making a mess, and store ziplock bags by hangingthem from an apparatus that hangs the ziplock bags from the portion of aziplock bag just below the ziplock part of the bag. It also allows theperson to maximize the space allotted in 100 refrigerators and freezersand use that space very effectively.

A storage system comprised of multiple apparatuses designed to insertanything that could be inserted into a plastic bag, whether it be a foodor a nonfood item, provides a method of storing that item in multipleformats designed to best fit the contents of the plastic bag and providean apparatus to recycle plastic bags in order to reuse said used plasticbags. The system that encompasses 1) Different sized bag fillerapparatus that could be comprised of a type of flexible plastic materialallowing for different size ziplock bags. 2) A collapsible bag fillerholder comprised of either plastic or metal that the filler lays in orattaches to so as to allows the user to use both hands pouring orotherwise placing items or substance inside a ziplock bag withoutallowing item or substance to come into contact with the ziplock sealportion of the bag therefore keeping the seal area clean in order toeliminate mess and provide a clean seal. 3) A storage system comprisedof metal or plastic apparatus wherein the ziplock sealed bag slidesthrough a slot in the apparatus allowing the bag to hang from the saidziplock portion of the bag with a narrow enough gap in the slot so as toallow the double thickness of the bag to slide through and into the slotbut not allow the ziplock portion of the bag to slide down through theslot therefore keeping the ziplock portion of the bag above the slot asthe portion of the bag carrying the contents of the bag are allowed tohang from the slot. This storage apparatus could either be placed in arefrigerator to store food type contents or be placed in a cupboard toallow storage of dry-type items that need to be stored but notrefrigerated. Items that can be placed inside ziplock bags and storedtherein will vary as to the imagination and needs of the particularindividual. 4) A freezer storage apparatus comprised of a somewhatflexible plastic with dividers similar to an ice cube tray that when aquart or gallon ziplock bag lays in this compartmented tray in that itallows the contents of the ziplock bag to fill the different sections ofthe freezer storage apparatus allowing the ziplock bag contents to bedivided into individual serving sizes. 5) A refrigerator or freezerstorage apparatus comprised of a flexible plastic that allows ziplockbags containing possible liquids or semiliquid contents to be stored ina vertical manor. Such an apparatus would have a sleeve comprised of asemi-flexible plastic that the ziplock bag with contents would slidedown into and then this apparatus along with the ziplock bag andcontents would slide down into the refrigerator/freezer storageapparatus allowing the contents to be stored in the refrigerator forreuse or placed into a freezer therefore freezing the contents intorectangular cubes that can now be easily stored in the freezer. 6) Aframe rack apparatus comprised of steel or plastic that allows a ziplockbag to be placed on either with the inside out or the outside out insuch a way that it keeps the bag partially open allowing the inside andoutside of the bag to be washed cleanly as well as keeping the bagupright so as not to allow water to settle into any sagging parts of theziplock bag creating any pools of water that will not dry when goingthrough the cycles of the dishwasher. There is also a clip that keepsthe ziplock bag attached to the rack during the washing cycle so as notto allow the bag to be forced off the rack by the water pressure andpossibly get stuck in the washing/heating elements of the dishwasher.

The storage system could be used to store all manner of items suitablefor storage in plastic bags or ziplock bags, both food items, such as,for example, fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, dairy products, soups,salads, grains, breads, dressings, toppings, and baking ingredients, andnon-food items, such as, for example, health and beauty items, craftingsupplies, art supplies, home care or repair items, clothing andaccessories, tools, and machine parts. It should be understood that theabove examples do not limit the use of the bags to these examples.

It should also be noted that any use herein of the terms or phrases“bags,” “plastic bags,” “resealable bags,” and “ziplock bags” should beunderstood as referring to all such bags that utilize a zipper seal orslider seal or other such seal to temporarily seal the bags. It shouldalso be noted that the description of the bags herein is generally inreference to plastic storage bags of the U.S. quart size and U.S. gallonsize. However, the bags could be of any size according to national orregional standards, and the components of the system could be adjustedaccordingly.

The above-discussed exemplifications of the present invention will bedescribed further herein below. When the word “invention” or“exemplification of the invention” is used in this specification, theword “invention” or “exemplification of the invention” includes“inventions” or “exemplifications of the invention”, that is the pluralof “invention” or “exemplification of the invention”. By stating“invention” or “exemplification of the invention”, the Applicant doesnot in any way admit that the present application does not include morethan one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintainsthat this application may include more than one patentably andnon-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that thedisclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and,in the event that there is more than one invention, that theseinventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to theother.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator in which the storage system could 190 beused;

FIG. 2 shows a refrigerator cooling system;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show bag fillers;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show bag fillers with bags;

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 show a bag filler stand;

FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 show another exemplification of a bagfiller stand;

FIGS. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 show a storage unit with food storagetrays;

FIGS. 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29 show a storage tray according to oneexemplification;

FIGS. 30, 31, and 32 show a storage unit with food storage traysaccording to FIGS. 25-29;

FIGS. 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 show a storage tray according to oneexemplification;

FIGS. 38, 39, and 40 show a storage tray according to oneexemplification;

FIGS. 41, 42, and 43 show a storage unit according to oneexemplification;

FIG. 44 shows the use of a holding apparatus;

FIGS. 45, 46, 47, and 48 show a holding apparatus according to oneexemplification;

FIGS. 49, 50, 51, and 52 show a holding apparatus according to oneexemplification;

FIGS. 53, 54, 55, and 56 show a holding apparatus according to oneexemplification;

FIGS. 57, 58, 59, and 60 show a holding apparatus according to oneexemplification;

FIGS. 61 and 62 show a holding apparatus according to oneexemplification;

FIG. 63 shows a holding apparatus according to one exemplification;

FIGS. 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, and 69 show a divider tray and a use thereof;

FIGS. 70, 71, and 72 show a cleaning rack;

FIGS. 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, and 81 show a collapsible cup anda use thereof; and

FIGS. 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86 show a bag according to oneexemplification.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLIFICATION OR EXEMPLIFICATIONS

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator 210 for storing perishable items, such asperishable food items, known in the prior art. The refrigerator 210 hasan outer shell 212, as well as an interior upper freezer compartment 214and a lower fresh food compartment 216 separated by a mullion partition218. The freezer compartment 214 has an access door 220 and the freshfood compartment 216 has an access door 222. As shown, the refrigerator210 normally has numerous pans and shelves for storing food items.

Located at the on the lower wall 224 of the mullion partition 218, orthe upper wall 224 of the fresh food compartment 216, is a dampercontrol and lighting assembly housing 226. The mullion partition 218 hasa generally upper surface or wall 217 which in effect is the bottom orfloor of the freezer compartment 214. Between the lower wall 224 andupper wall of the mullion partition is thermal insulation so that thedifference in temperatures between the freezer compartment and freshfood compartment can be maintained in their proper temperature ranges.

The refrigerant system of the refrigerator includes an evaporator (notshown) which is normally located either behind the freezer compartmentrear wall 231, or within the mullion partition 218, and an evaporatorfan (not shown) will force the air to circulate through duct 233 intothe freezer compartment with a portion being diverted downwardly intothe fresh food compartment 216 by means of a duct or air passage way(not shown). The cold air passes entering the fresh food compartment 216passes through the damper control assembly housing 226.

The damper control and lighting assembly housing 226 is mounted at thetop wall 224 of the fresh food compartment 216. The housing 226 has abridge section 230 extending across the width of the fresh foodcompartment 216. The bridge section 230 has a forward flange 232 thatlies flush against the upper wall 224 of the fresh food compartment 216.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of an absorption refrigerator system known inthe prior art. A first container acts as a generator or still where theliquid with the lower boiling point (the solute) is distilled from theliquid with the higher boiling point (the solvent) by the application ofheat. The vapor of the solute thus produced passes to a condenser orcondensing container where the vapor liquefies on cooling by exchangingheat with the external atmosphere or a liquid shower like a watershower. The cooled liquid is then permitted to evaporate through arestricted passageway into an evaporator having lower pressure. Thisprocess is endothermic and hence results in refrigeration. Therelatively low pressure of the evaporator container is due to absorptionof the lower boiling point vapor or gas by higher boiling point solventwhen the vapor passes into an absorber container. The “rich” liquidproduced in the absorber is then sent back to the generator for anothercycle usually be a pump. Liquid from the generator container which hasbecome “weak” due to the removal of the solute is cooled and admitted tothe absorber where it can absorb more solute vapor or gas causingreduced pressure in the absorber. In many cases, additional heatexchangers and purifiers are added to improve efficiency. A very commonpractice is to use ammonia as the solute and water as the solventliquid. Like any binary solution, the boiling point varies with therelative concentrations of the two substances becoming higher as moreammonia leaves the solution. By putting solute back into the solvent,the entire system can be operated in equilibrium at a fairly constanttemperature and pressure in the generator.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 12, FIG. 3 illustrates the top view of aquart ziplock bag filler 82. FIG. 3 shows holder tabs 4 to hold aziplock bag, a front edge 7 to be inserted into a bag, a top surface 1,an outside edge 9, and a corner 10 on which the holder tabs 4 form apart and a notch 3 permitting the bag filler 82 to be held by a support12 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). FIG. 4 illustrates the top view of a gallonziplock bag filler 80. FIG. 4 shows holder tabs 4 to hold a ziplock bag,a front edge 7 to be inserted into a bag, a top surface 1, an outsideedge 9, and a corner 10 on which the holder 4 forms a part and a notch 3permitting the filler 80 to be held by a support 12 (see FIGS. 7 and 8).FIG. 5 illustrates a picture of a quart bag filler 82 showing the tabs 4that keep the filler 82 in the ziplock bag. FIG. 6 shows a picture ofthe other end of the filler 82 as it can slide into a ziplock bag 6. Tofill the bag using either bag filler 82 or 80, food or non-food itemsmay be placed on the bag filler 82, 80, and then the bag filler 82, 80,with the bag attached thereto, may be lifted by hand and then tilted tocause the items thereon to either slide by gravity into the bag, or bepushed manually into the bag by the user's free hand. The bag filler 82,80 could also be designed to be used as a food preparation surface, suchas, for example, a cutting mat for cutting fruit or vegetables. Afterpreparing the food on the bag filler 82, 80, the user could then easilytransfer the prepared food into a bag for storage.

FIG. 7 shows a picture of the quart bag filler 82 supported by thehands-free stand 12. FIG. 8 shows a picture of the gallon bag filler 80supported by the hands-free stand 12. The hands-free stand 12 is made upof a base 17 holding two substantially upright members 14 and 15. Thetwo substantially upright members 14 and 15 are each connected to thebase 17, each by its own connector 18. Notch holders 13 hold the bagholder bent and in a secured manner to permit items such as food to befilled into the ziplock bag. FIG. 9 shows a picture of the quart/gallonfiller stand 12 in the flipped open position from a different angle thanin FIG. 8 standing on base 17, which has side flanges 19. FIG. 10 showsa picture of the quart/gallon filler stand 12 in the flipped closedposition. FIG. 11 shows a picture of the filler stand 12 holding a quartfiller 82 with an attached ziplock bag 6. FIG. 12 shows a picture of thefiller stand 12 holding a quart filler 82 with a quart bag 6 that issitting on a quart refrigerator/freezer produce and soup storage unit 20having a top portion 22 with dividers.

FIGS. 13 to 18 show an alternative quart/gallon filler stand 312. Thefiller stand 312 of FIGS. 13 to 18 is used or functions in asubstantially similar manner as the filler stand 12 of FIGS. 7 to 12. Tofurther explain, both filler stands 12, 312 support a bag filler thereonwith the top surfaces 1 or 2 facing up. Both filler stands 12, 312 havetwo pairs of guide structures. Guide structures 72 are spaced apart adistance sufficient to secure a gallon-sized bag filler 80, whereasguide structures 74 are spaced apart a lesser distance sufficient tosecure a quart-sized bag filler 82. Each of the guide structures 72, 74shown in FIGS. 13 to 18 are substantially pin-shaped or cylindrical, butwith an undercut 71, 73 in each guide structure 72, 74. The undercuts71, 73 are where the notches in the bag fillers are inserted to securethe bag fillers on the filler stand 312. Each filler stand 12, 312 holdsa bag filler such that the bag filler is curved to form a trough orfunnel, and the bag filler is tilted with respect to the horizontal inorder to cause items located on the top surface 1, 2 of the bag fillerto slide into a ziplock bag hooked on the end of the bag filler. In thismanner, food or non-food items can be dropped or placed on the bagfiller on the filler stand 12, 312, and then either allowed to slideinto the bag by gravity, or can be pushed into the bag manually. Bothfiller stands 12, 312 can also be made of similar materials, such asplastic or suitable metals.

However, there are a number of structural differences in the designs ofthe filler stands 12, 312. First, the filler stand 312 does not utilizea base 17, but rather is free-standing. To accomplish a free-standingdesign, the filler stand 312 has two curved side portions 76 that extendfrom a main body portion 70 and function as legs or feet so that thefiller stand 312 does not tip over. In addition, instead of using twoupright members 14, 15 that are parallel or essentially parallel to oneanother, filler stand 312 includes a handle portion 75 that, during useof the filler stand 312, is to be oriented perpendicular or essentiallyperpendicular to the main body portion 70. Both the curved side portions76 and the handle portion 75 each also have a flat foot portion 78,which can have a silicone rubber knob or disc or similar structureattached thereto. Therefore, when the filler stand 312 is placed on asurface, such as a counter top or table, there are three main points ofcontact or support: the foot portions 78 of the two curved side portions76 and the foot portion 78 of the handle portion 75. Also in contrast tothe filler stand 12, the handle portion 75 of the filler stand 312provides a place for a user to securely grip the filler stand 312 duringa bag-filling procedure. The handle portion 75 can include contours 85,as shown in FIG. 18, to match the four fingers of the hand of a user.The handle portion 75 is connected to the main body 70 at a connectingstructure, which can essentially be in the manner of a hinge. Theconnecting structure comprises two clamping or snap portions 77 thathold the end of the handle portion 75. These clamping portions 77 aredesigned such that the handle portion 75 can be pivoted essentially flatagainst the main body portion 70 for storage when the filler stand 312is not in use, much like how the two upright members 14, 15 can bepivoted essentially flat against the base 17. The connecting structurealso comprises a tab 79 with an indent or depression designed such thatwhen the handle portion 75 is pivoted into the position perpendicular oressentially perpendicular to the main body portion 70, the handleportion 75 is snapped or locked into place. It is important that theconnections between the handle portion 75 and the main body portion 70,as well as between the upright members 14, 15 and the base 17, permit alocking in place of the handle portion 75 and the upright members 14, 15so that they do not accidentally move out of a desired position duringbag filling.

One advantage that the handle portion 75 of the filler stand 312 affordsover the filler stand 12 of FIGS. 7 to 11 is the ability to convenientlyhandle and tilt the filler stand 312 with one hand, which leaves theuser with another hand free to help guide the item or items into thebag, hold the bag further open, etc. To further explain, in abag-filling procedure using the filler stand 312, the handle portion 75,which is in the folded position when not in use, is pivoted into theposition shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 shows a larger bag filler 80,specifically a gallon-sized bag filler, and FIG. 18 shows a smaller bagfiller 82, specifically a quart-sized bag filler. After the handleportion 75 is pivoted into the support position, a bag filler isinserted between the appropriate guide structures that correspond to thesize of the bag filler. The handle portion 75 supports the bag filleralong the middle of the bag filler, as seen in FIG. 17. The user thenhooks a bag onto the lower end of the bag filler around the holder tabs.In the example of filling a bag with food, the user is now free to dumpthe food onto the supported bag filler. Runny or less viscous foods willeasily slide down the bag filler and into the attached bag. However, notall foods slide easily, and some foods will leave pieces or portions orresidue behind on the bag filler. The handle portion 75 allows the userto grasp the contoured grip 85 with four fingers of one hand, while thethumb can be placed on top of the upper portion of the bag filler atlocation 86, thereby further securing the bag filler in place. The usercan then lift the handle portion 75 and thus tilt the filler stand 312at an even steeper angle to cause the food to slide into the bag. Inaddition, since the other hand of the user is free, the user can scrapeor push the food or portions thereof into the bag while securely holdingthe filler stand 312.

Referring to FIGS. 19 through 24, FIG. 19 shows a picture of a quartrefrigerator/freezer produce and soup storage unit with inside tray tohold ziplock bags full of food desiring to be stored or frozen. FIG. 20shows a picture of a quart refrigerator/freezer produce and soup storageunit with the view of the inner tray. FIG. 21 shows a picture of innerquart tray containing food inside a ziplock bag and placed inside thequart refrigerator/freezer produce and soup storage unit tray 22, whichtray 22 has separator sides 23 to hold the ziplock bag. FIG. 22 shows apicture of the inner tray for the quart refrigerator/freezer produce andsoup storage unit that is being slid down inside the slots to store thetray upright. Slots 25 are shown to hold the separator sides 22 and 23.FIG. 23 shows a picture of the inner tray for the quartrefrigerator/freezer produce and soup storage unit holding a ziplock bagbetween tray members 22 that still has no contents yet but is ready tobe filled. FIG. 24 shows a picture of the same filler tray but with theziplock bag containing a food item.

FIGS. 25 to 43 show other exemplifications of a freezer storage system.The function of the freezer storage system is similar to that of thefreezer storage system in FIGS. 19 to 24. In both systems, ziplock bagsof malleable food, such as vegetables like corn or beans, or liquid orsemi-liquid food, such as sauce or soup, can be placed in individualtrays 22, which are in turn placed in a storage unit 20. The storageunits 20 are then placed inside a freezer unit. The food located in theziplock bags conforms to the general rectangular box shape of the trays22, and then ultimately freezes approximately in that shape. The frozenshape of the ziplock bags of food permits more compact and organizedstacking and/or storing of the food in a freezer, either in or outsideof the storage unit 20.

FIGS. 25 to 29 show another exemplification of a tray 322 or dividerthat is to be inserted in a storage unit 20. FIG. 25 shows a top viewinto the tray 322, and FIG. 28 shows a bottom view of the tray 322. FIG.26 shows a front side view of the tray 322, FIG. 27 shows a side view ofthe tray 322, and FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of the tray 322. Theshapes of both the tray 22 and the tray 322 are generally similar, inthat each has a bottom side and two side walls, wherein a first sidewall 93 is taller or higher than a second side wall 90. However, incontrast to the trays 22 shown in FIGS. 19-24, the trays 322 have somedifferent structural features. First, the tray 322 has a handle portion97 with a rounded end 98, which handle portion 97 extends from the firstside wall 93. The handle portion 97 allows for easier manual removal ofthe tray 322 from the storage unit by hand. In addition, there arecurved side portions 96 extending from the first side wall 93 thatfurther shape the food and provide a guide that engages grooves or guidestructures inside the storage unit. The curved side portions 96 projectslightly outwardly to promote a more secure engagement with the interiorwalls of the storage unit. The tray 322 also includes a divider 92 thatprojects out of the first side wall 93 toward the second side wall 90.The divider 92 is located on a raised portion of the first side wall 93below the handle portion 97 (see FIGS. 25 and 29). The divider 92divides the food in the ziplock bag into two segments or portions. Auser can thereby easily separate portions of frozen food into a sizesuitable for an individual meal without having to defrost or thaw all ofthe frozen food in the ziplock bag. As seen in FIG. 25, the second sidewall 90 has a slight curvature and includes two elongated projections91, as seen in FIG. 27. The slight curvature allows the tray 322 tocompensate for expansion of the food due to freezing. The elongatedprojections 91 reduce the contact area between adjacent trays 322 in thestorage unit so that the second side wall 90 does not freeze or stick tothe exterior of the first side wall 93 of an adjacent tray 322 in thestorage unit.

FIG. 30 shows a top view of a plurality of the trays 322 in a storageunit, and FIG. 31 is a cross-section along line A-A in FIG. 30. FIG. 32shows a perspective view of the storage unit of FIG. 30. As can be seenin FIG. 30, the curved design of the side walls 90, 93 results in aspace 109 between adjacent trays 322. The projections 91 minimize thecontact area between two adjacent trays 322. Also as seen in FIG. 30,the ends of the curved side portions 96 are engaged in grooves 106 onthe interior surface 108 of the side walls 100 of the storage unit. Theinterior surface 108 has a scalloped design or has a plurality of curvedrecesses 107 that assist in guiding the ends of the curved side portions96 into the grooves 106. The side walls 100 of the storage unit aredouble-walled and/or relatively thick so as to present a smooth exteriorsurface 101 that hides the contoured interior surfaces 108. In contrast,the front walls 102 that include the handles 104 are of a singlethickness as they are smooth both on the interior and exterior surfaces.A hole or opening 105 is located in the front wall 102 below the handle104 to permit a user to insert his fingers into the hole 105 to graspthe handle 104. As seen in cross-section in FIG. 31, there is a raisedsupport portion 103 to support the trays 322.

FIGS. 33 to 37 show another embodiment of the tray 322, but without thedivider portion 92. FIG. 35 shows a side view and FIG. 34 shows a topview into the interior 123 of the tray. FIG. 35 is a cross-section viewof FIG. 33 as viewed from the side, and FIG. 37 is a cross-section viewof FIG. 33 as viewed from the top. FIG. 36 is a perspective view of thetray of FIG. 33. As noted in FIG. 37, a portion 124 of the first sidewall projects toward the second side wall in order to cause spacingbetween two adjacent trays 322, and thereby reduce the contact surfacearea and minimize sticking or freezing together of two adjacent trays322.

FIGS. 38 to 40 disclose yet another tray 422 which is similar to thetray 322, but each of the first side wall 130 and the second side wall136 comprises a raised or indented portion 133 and 135, respectively.The tray 422 is designed in this manner to create a specific shape forthe frozen bag of food. Specifically, the frozen bag of food will have araised portion on one surface and an indented portion on the oppositesurface. The raised and indented surfaces would allow for more securestacking of the frozen bags of food one on top of the other in a freezerunit, as the raised portion of a first frozen bag of food would fitinside the indented portion of a second frozen bag of food. FIG. 39shows a cross-section of the tray 422 along line C-C in FIG. 38. Theraised or indented portions 133 and 135 can be clearly seen. FIG. 40shows a perspective view of the tray 422.

FIG. 41 shows a top view of an empty storage unit of FIGS. 29 to 31looking into the interior of the storage unit. The storage unit hasraised portions 103 on the bottom surface thereof to support the trays322 inserted therein. The raised portions 103 also reduce the surfacecontact area between the bottoms of the trays 322 and the bottom surfaceof the storage unit to reduce the chance of the surfaces sticking orfreezing together. FIG. 42 shows a handle-side view of an exterior frontside of the storage unit. FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the storageunit. As discussed above, the interior side walls have a ridged orscalloped design such that there are a plurality of curved recesses 107.Each recess 107 has an elongated groove 106 formed therein that extendsfrom the top of the recess 107 over a substantial portion of the recess107. The curved recesses 107 assist in guiding the curved side portions96 of the trays 322 toward the grooves 106. Each of the curved sideportions 96 of the trays 322 has a portion or projection on the endthereof that matches or interlocks with the grooves 106 in the recesses107 to secure the trays 322 in the storage unit.

FIG. 44 shows a picture of a ziplock slot storage holding apparatus 31with ten pictures showing how a ziplock bag 6 fits into the slots 32 andhow the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus holds multiple ziplocktype bags 6. FIGS. 45 and 46 show an illustration of a refrigerator orcabinet ziplock slot storage holding apparatus with a side view (FIG.46) and front view (FIG. 45). FIG. 46 shows the full extension sliderails 39 and the side of the vertical side member 31 with the slots forholding the ziplock bags. A handle 35 of the ziplock slot storageholding apparatus is shown on the lower right portion of the drawing.FIG. 47 shows an illustration of how the ziplock bag fits into the slotof the holder and how the ziplock bag remains supported in thisstructure. The slots have a wider slot portion 32 and a narrower slotportion 33 which is formed by two protrusions 34. FIG. 48 shows a closeup illustration of the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus supportinga ziplock bag 37 in the slot made for holding ziplock bags. A thinnerportion of the ziplock portion 36 of a bag is shown between theprotrusions 34.

FIGS. 49 to 52 show an alternative embodiment of the ziplock slotstorage holding apparatus. The design is similar to the ziplock slotstorage holding apparatus of FIGS. 45 to 48, but with an additional pairof sealing structures or seals or sealing lips 49. The sealingstructures 49 can be made of any suitable flexible or resilient sealingmaterial, such as, for example, silicone rubber, rubber, elastomers, orplastic. As shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, the sealing structures 49 projectout from the slots below the lower surface of the ziplock slot storageholding apparatus. The sealing structures 49 are designed and positionedto exert a sealing force or pressure or action on the bag to clamp orcinch or pinch a portion of the bag together to either bring the sidesof the bag into contact with one another or narrow the space 50 betweenthe sides of the bag. The sealing structures 49 further seal the bag tominimize spoilage of perishable items. The sealing structures 49 alsocould provide a further gripping or clamping action on the bags toinhibit or prevent downward removal or the bags falling out of theziplock slot storage holding apparatus. In another possibleexemplification, the sealing structures 49 could be designed andpositioned to exert a relatively strong clamping or holding or pinchingor sealing force on the bags such that even bags without a zipper sealor sealing structure could be sealed and held by the ziplock slotstorage holding apparatus. FIGS. 53 to 56 show a similar exemplificationas FIGS. 49 to 52, however, in this case, sealing structures 40 arepositioned above the narrower slot portion 33. Like the sealingstructures 49, the sealing structures 40 can be used to seal and hold,or at least assist in sealing and holding, a plastic bag with or withouta zipper seal.

FIG. 57 shows a picture of a ziplock slot storage holding apparatusdesigned for limited space of a refrigerator door with slots 43 at anangle other than a right angle from the side 42. The angled design makesit easier to view the contents of the bags since the ziplock slotstorage holding apparatus will be installed in a fixed position, i.e.,the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus cannot be slid out of therefrigerator door in which it is mounted. FIG. 58 shows a picture of theziplock slot storage holding apparatus placed under the shelf in thedoor section of a refrigerator, with a plurality of ziplock bagged itemsbeing held thereby. As can be seen, the angled orientation of the slots43 allows a user to more easily view the contents of the bags. FIG. 59shows a picture of the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus in arefrigerator holding multiple items 47 in multiple slots 32. FIG. 60shows another picture of the ziplock slot storage holding apparatusholding multiple items 47 in multiple slots 32.

FIGS. 61 to 63 show different views of the ziplock slot storage holdingapparatus. FIG. 61 shows the ziplock slot storage holding apparatusinstalled under a shelf of a refrigerator. The ziplock slot storageholding apparatus is mounted on a telescoping or sliding guide structurethat permits the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus to be pulled outfrom the interior of the refrigerator. The extendable design allows auser to easily view the ziplock bags hanging on the ziplock slot storageholding apparatus, as well as allow the user to more easily insert bagsinto the slots in the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus. In thisdesign of the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus, the slots areperpendicular or essentially perpendicular or transverse to thedirection of extension of the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus, soit is advantageous to allow the user to extend the ziplock slot storageholding apparatus out of the refrigerator so that the user can moreeasily see the content of the bags.

FIG. 62 shows a view of a portion of the ziplock slot storage holdingapparatus, and a user inserting a ziplock bag into a slot of the ziplockslot storage holding apparatus. To further explain, to utilize theziplock slot storage holding apparatus, the upper portion of a ziplockbag, which includes a sealing portion and a grasping portion to permit auser to pull open the ziplock bag, is slid into a corresponding one ofthe slots. The sealing portion of the ziplock bag is thicker than theportion of the ziplock bag immediately below it. The lowermost portionof the slot is narrower than the sealing portion of the ziplock bag,such that the portion of the bag below the sealing portion can slideinto the slot, but the sealing portion cannot be pulled downwardly, orat least cannot easily be pulled downward, through the lowermost portionof the slot. The slots are designed to allow easy insertion of theziplock bags into the slots from the side, while preventing orsubstantially preventing the ziplock bags from falling out of the slots.However, since the slots, at least in the side wall of the ziplock slotstorage holding apparatus, are of a similar or substantially similarheight as the upper portion of the ziplock bags, it can sometimes bedifficult to accurately and quickly insert the upper portion of theziplock bag into the slots. If the upper portion is not aligned properlyat the time of insertion, the upper portion can snag on or be partiallyblocked by the side wall of the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus,especially since the ziplock bag is flexible. In order to facilitateinsertion, a ziplock bag of a different design could be used to storeitems in the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus. As shown in FIG. 62(and in greater detail in FIGS. 82 to 86), a ziplock bag with a curvedor slanted top edge could be used. Most ziplock bags have a generallysquare or rectangular shape, and thus the grasping portion above thesealing portion of the ziplock bags has a rectangular shape withcorners. By utilizing a curved grasping portion, the height of the upperportion of the ziplock bag is substantially reduced at the edges, so itis not necessary to carefully align the side edge of the upper portionof the ziplock bag with the sides of the slots. The curved design allowsfor an easier and more accurate insertion of the ziplock bags into theslots.

FIG. 63 shows the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus installed undera shelf of a cabinet, such as a kitchen cabinet, rather than arefrigerator. The ziplock slot storage holding apparatus could beinstalled in a variety of locations to hold ziplock bags filled withboth food and non-food items, and both perishable and non-perishableitems. For example, the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus could beinstalled in closets or storage cabinets to hold non-food items likemedical supplies, household supplies, clothing and accessories, tools,machine parts, and other non-food items that can be stored in plasticziplock bags.

Referring to FIGS. 64 through 69, FIG. 64 shows a picture of a freezertray designed to hold quart bags or gallon bags so that the ziplock bagwill be divided by separators 53 into individual portions 52 uponfreezing, therefore allowing the individual to only reheat necessary ordesired individual portions 55. FIG. 65 shows a picture of a frozengallon ziplock bag that has been taken out of the storage freezer trayof FIG. 65. As can be seen, the frozen food is now shaped intoindividual servings, specifically six in FIG. 65. FIG. 66 shows anadditional view of a frozen food item that has been placed into thedivider tray and subsequently frozen. Again, there are six individualportions divided along lines 56. FIGS. 67 to 69 show a series ofpictures of the handling of a frozen food item that has been separatedin the freezer tray. Specifically, a quart bag was laid on the freezertray such that the food in the quart bag was generally separated intotwo portions. The food was frozen into the two portions. As seen in FIG.67, the user simply applies pressure at the narrowed part or divide orseam between the two portions of frozen food to break the two portionsapart. The user then extracts one individual portion 55 from the bag,and then deposits the individual portion 55 into a bowl, as seen inFIGS. 68 and 69. The user can now defrost or thaw only the 690individual portion 55, while the rest of the frozen food can be placedback into storage.

FIGS. 70 through 72 show an illustration of a rack or a section of arack to hold ziplock bags in a dishwasher. The rack has a frame 62 withprojecting portions for supporting bags that are slid over theprojecting portions, somewhat in the manner of a coat hanger or clotheshanger. A round or circular clamping ring 63 is located between andconnected to the lower legs of the projecting portion of the frame 62. Asecuring structure 67, such as a clip or similar structure, can be usedto clip or lock the sealing end 65 of the bag 6 onto the ring 63. Thering 63 holds the bag open so that water and cleaning detergent canenter into the bag during cleaning in a dishwasher, while the clip 67holds the bag in place to prevent the bag from being dislodged from theprojecting portion of the frame 62 by the force of the sprayed water inthe dishwasher. When washing is complete, water is allowed to drip outof the bag due to the bags being inverted on the frame 62. In thismanner, plastic ziplock bags could be reused instead of being thrownaway after a single use.

FIGS. 73 to 81 show a collapsible cup 150 made of silicone rubber orsimilar material. The cup 150 can be used to hold a plastic bag duringfilling of the plastic bag. For example, if a user wishes to store anitem, such as soup, in a plastic bag, the user can place the plastic bagin the cup 150, and then wrap or roll the top portion of the bag overthe lip of the cup 150, as shown in FIG. 81. The bag will thereby besecured in the cup 150, and the user can then pour or transfer the iteminto the cup 150.

As shown in FIG. 74, the cup 150 can stand on its own on its flat bottom152, and is stabilized by feet 153, 155, which project from the shortand long sides of the bottom 152, respectively. During manufacture, thedimensions of the cup 150 can be sized specific to the bag that the cup150 will hold. For example, the outside or largest diameter 156 of thecup 150 should be sized to match or essentially match or substantiallymatch the diameter of the bag when opened. In addition, the cup 150 canhave a ring or band 158 made of material that is less flexible than thematerial from which the rest of the cup 150 is made. Since the bag is tobe wrapped or folded around the upper edge or upper portion of the cup150, it may be advantageous to reinforce that portion of the cup 150 inorder to keep the bag open and minimize any collapsing of the cup 150.The reinforcing ring or band 158 provides this feature. In addition, thecup 150 is shaped in manner to promote ease of transfer of an item oritems from a cup or bowl or similar container. To further explain, forexample, when pouring a liquid from a bowl or cup, the liquid tends tospread out over a larger portion of the lip or edge of the bowl or cup.Accordingly, it can be difficult to transfer the liquid into anothercontainer without some spillage. As seen in FIG. 73, the cup 150 has anoblong or oval or similar shape in which there are two longer sides 161and two shorter sides 163. The wider width of the cup 150 compensatesfor the wider pouring area of bowls and cups. So, for example, if a userwishes to pour soup from a bowl or pot into the cup 150, the user canorient the bowl or pot with respect to the wider dimension of the cup150 to minimize spillage of the soup. The oblong or oval shape of thecup 150 therefore keeps a smaller overall size while having a largerwidth for pouring or filling. FIG. 80 shows a top perspective view ofthe cup 150, with the interior 164 visible. FIG. 77 shows across-section of the shorter dimension 165 of the cup 150 viewed alongline D-D in FIG. 80. FIG. 79 shows a close-up view of a cross-section ofthe reinforcing band or ring 158.

The cup 150 is collapsible as shown in FIGS. 75 and 78. FIG. 75 showsthe wider dimension of the cup 150, whereas FIG. 78 shows the shorterdimension. The cup 150 is collapsible for ease of storage and transport.The cup 150 also can be used as a serving container since the amount offood in the plastic bag already fits into the cup 150. To furtherexplain, if, for example, a user wishes to take a food, such as soup ornoodles or salad, to another location, such as in to work for lunch, theuser first measures out an amount into a bag in the cup 150. The userthen seals the bag, collapses the cup 150, and then takes both into theworkplace. At lunch, the user takes the plastic bag with the food insideand places both back into the cup 150, which has been returned to itsoriginal shape. If the food is a hot food, the user can place the cup150, with the bagged food therein, in a microwave oven and heat up thefood in the bag in the cup 150. The user can eat the food, hot or cold,right out of the bag in the cup 150. When the user is done eating, theuser can remove the used bag from the cup 150, collapse the cup 150, andtake the cup 150 home for further use. The cup 150 therefore provides abag filling device, a heating container, and a serving container all inone that is compact for transport and can be used without being soiledor dirtied by the food in the bag since the bag acts as a protectiveliner for the cup 150.

FIGS. 82 to 86 show a plastic storage bag or ziplock bag or resealablebag 140 with rounded or curved pull tabs or gripping portions 145, 147.The bag 140 has a ziplock or sealing portion 144, such as with one ortwo sealing structures 148. Above the sealing portion 144 are two curvedor sloped tabs 145, 147. The tabs 145, 147 overlap one another, with thetab 147 in front in the view in FIG. 82, and the tab 145 partiallyobscured by and in back of the tab 147. As seen in FIG. 84, tab 145 hasa rounded outside portion 141 that curves down to the sealing portion144 (see FIG. 82), and a sloped inside portion 146 that also slopes downto the sealing portion 144. Likewise, as seen in FIG. 85, tab 147 has arounded outside portion 143 that curves down to the sealing portion 144(see FIG. 82), and a sloped inside portion 146 that also slopes down tothe sealing portion 144 (see FIG. 82). The tabs 145, 147 can be equippedwith gripping strips 142, as shown in FIGS. 84 and 85, or withoutgripping strips 142, as shown in FIGS. 82 and 86. As discussed hereinabove with respect to FIG. 62, the rounded outside portions 141, 143assist in guiding the bags 140 into the slot of the ziplock slot storageholding apparatus. Since the profile of the bag 140 is greatly reducedat the outermost edge or side, it is much easier to insert the bag 140into the slots in the ziplock slot storage holding apparatus. Onefeature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of thefiling of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a methodof keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as a refrigerator orfreezer, said method comprising: obtaining a cooling apparatuscomprising a condenser, an evaporator and a source of energy to permitcooling of said evaporator; a housing having two portions, a firstconfigured to hold said cooling apparatus and a second configured tohold said items to be cooled; a closing arrangement configured to keepcooled air in said second portion of said cooling apparatus and coolingsaid items to be cooled; said first portion being configured to holdsaid evaporator and said source of energy to permit cooling of saidevaporator; said housing comprising walls to contain at least said firstportion; said second portion of said cooling apparatus comprising saidcooling portion comprising an arrangement to hold items to be cooled insaid cooling portion; said second portion of said cooling apparatuscomprising inner walls configured to contain cooling air within saidsecond portion of said cooling apparatus; a holder comprising slotsconfigured to hold ziplock-type bags, such as sealable plastic bags witha two-part strip comprising an interlocking groove and ridge that form atight seal when pressed together along the opening which can be pressedtogether and readily reopened; said holder being disposed in saidhousing second portion configured to hold said items to be cooled; saidholder being disposed on a surface in said second portion such that saidziplock-type bags, upon putting an item therein, hang from said holderupon being disposed in said holder; said slots being disposedsubstantially horizontally and configured to accept said ziplock-typebags by said slots comprising an upper portion and also a lower portioneach, substantially vertically disposed; an opening in said upperportion being wider than an opening in said lower portion to permit anupper portion of said ziplock-type bags permitting a locking portion ofsaid ziplock-type bags to be admitted and held by said holder while saidlower portion of said slots being narrower than said upper portion;preventing said upper portion of said ziplock-type bags to be hangedfrom entering said narrower lower portion of said slots; saidziplock-type bags comprising corners adjacent said locking portion beingabbreviated and permitting said ziplock-type bags to be guided into saidslots without substantial resistance from said slots; and connectingsaid source of energy to a source of power.

Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein said method further comprises the stepsof: A) filling said bags with said items by B) placing a bag on aconcaved portion of the end of said filler and C) sliding at least oneitem into said placed bag; D) removing said placed bag from said end ofsaid filler; E) closing and sealing said bag; F) sliding said filled bagin a slot in said holder in said first portion of said cooling apparatusand G) cooling said items in said filled bag.

Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin the method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein said method further comprises the stepof repeating said steps A through G.

Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin the method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein said slots are substantially parallelto one another.

A further feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin the method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein said slots are disposed so that lengthsof said slots are disposed directly toward a user when inserting andwithdrawing said bags.

Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein said slots are disposed so that lengthsof said slots are disposed obliquely toward a user; inserting andwithdrawing said bags into and from said slots.

Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin the method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein said holder comprises extension siderails mounted to permit said holder to be pulled out and pushed intosaid first portion of said cooling apparatus.

Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin the method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein: said holder includes a handleconfigured to permit said holder to be pulled out of said coolingapparatus and permit said bags to be inserted and pulled out of saidholder; and said method further comprises the steps: pulling said holderout of and pushing said holder back into said cooling apparatus; puttingsaid bags into said slots; and removing said bags from said slots.

A further feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin the method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein said method further includes:subsequent to at least partially filling said bags, pushing said bagsinto a freezer tray with divided individual portions and dividing theitem in said pushed bag and the filling into individual portions andforming individual portions in the at least partially filled bag andfreezing said bag filled with individual portions; sliding said frozenfilled bag into a slot in said holder; storing said frozen filled bag insaid cooling portion of said cooling apparatus; removing said frozenfilled bag from its slot in said holder; removing at least one of saidindividual portions; replacing the now partially filled bag withremaining individual portions therein into a slot in said holder.

Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in amethod of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, said method comprising: obtaining a coolingapparatus comprising a condenser, an evaporator and a source of energyto permit cooling of said evaporator; a housing having two portions, afirst configured to hold said cooling apparatus and a second configuredto hold said items to be cooled; a door to hold cooled air in saidsecond portion; apparatus to open and close said second portion; aholder comprising slots configured to hold ziplock-type bags, such assealable plastic bags with a two-part strip comprising an interlockinggroove and ridge that form a tight seal when pressed together along theopening which can be pressed together and readily reopenable; saidholder being disposed in said housing second portion configured to holdsaid items to be cooled; said holder being disposed on a surface in saidsecond portion such that said ziplock-type bags, upon putting an itemtherein, hang from said holder upon being disposed in said holder; saidslots being disposed substantially horizontally and configured to acceptsaid ziplock-type bags by said slots comprising an upper portion andalso a lower portion each, substantially vertically disposed; an openingin said upper portion being wider than an opening in said lower portionto permit an upper portion of said ziplock-type bags permitting alocking portion of said ziplock-type bags to be admitted and held bysaid holder while said lower portion of said slots being narrower thansaid upper portion; preventing said upper portion of said ziplock-typebags to be hanged from entering said narrower lower portion of saidslots; said second portion of said cooling apparatus comprising saidcooling portion comprising an arrangement to hold items to be cooled insaid cooling portion; a closing arrangement configured to keep cooledair in said second portion of said cooling apparatus and cooling saiditems to be cooled; and said first portion being configured to hold saidevaporator and said source of energy to permit cooling of saidevaporator.

Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin the method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein said slots are substantially parallelto one another.

Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin the method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein said slots are disposed so that lengthsof said slots are disposed directly toward a user when inserting andwithdrawing said bags.

A further feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin the method of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer, wherein said slots are disposed so that lengthsof said slots are disposed obliquely toward a user; inserting andwithdrawing said bags into and from said slots.

The components disclosed in the patents, patent applications, patentpublications, and other documents disclosed or incorporated by referenceherein, may possibly be used in possible exemplifications of the presentinvention, as well as equivalents thereof.

The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally toenable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The description of the technical field is believed, at thetime of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describethe technical field of this patent application. However, the descriptionof the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims asoriginally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statementsmade relating to the technical field are not intended to limit theclaims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting theclaims in any manner.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions,proportions and/or shapes in at least one exemplification of theinvention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into thisspecification.

The background information is believed, at the time of the filing ofthis patent application, to adequately provide background informationfor this patent application. However, the background information may notbe completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in thispatent application, as amended during prosecution of this patentapplication, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from thispatent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to thebackground information are not intended to limit the claims in anymanner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in anymanner.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the variousexemplifications may be used with at least one exemplification or all ofthe exemplifications, if more than one exemplification is describedherein.

The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generallyto enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The description of the object or objects is believed, atthe time of the filing of this patent application, to adequatelydescribe the object or objects of this patent application. However, thedescription of the object or objects may not be completely applicable tothe claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amendedduring prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowedin any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, anystatements made relating to the object or objects are not intended tolimit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limitingthe claims in any manner.

All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and otherdocuments cited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, arehereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entiretyherein except for the exceptions indicated herein.

The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patentapplication, to adequately summarize this patent application. However,portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not becompletely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patentapplication, as amended during prosecution of this patent application,and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patentapplication. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary arenot intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not beinterpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, patent applications,patent publications, and other documents which are included in thisapplication and which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Someexamples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possibleexemplification of the present application . . . ” may possibly not beused or useable in any one or more exemplifications of the application.

The sentence immediately above relates to patents, patent applications,patent publications, and other documents either incorporated byreference or not incorporated by reference.

All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and otherdocuments, except for the exceptions indicated herein, which were citedin the international search report mailed Aug. 29, 2017,and/or citedelsewhere, as well as the international search report document itself,are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entiretyherein except for the exceptions indicated herein, as follows: U.S. Pat.No. 4,854,530, US 2003/0189141, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,673,565, 5,467,949, US2005/0173600, and US 2011/0120173.

The following patent applications are incorporated by reference as ifset forth in their entirety herein: International Patent Application No.PCT/US2017/038006, filed on Jun. 16, 2017; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 62/351,315, filed on Jun. 17, 2016; and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application 62/521,232, filed on Jun. 16, 2017.

All of the references and documents cited in any of the patents, patentapplications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein,except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated byreference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for theexceptions indicated herein. All of the patents, patent applications,patent publications, and other documents cited herein, referred to inthe immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patentapplications, patent publications, and other documents cited anywhere inthe present application.

Words relating to the opinions and judgments of the author of allpatents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documentscited herein and not directly relating to the technical details of thedescription of the exemplifications therein are not incorporated byreference.

The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee,particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly,avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only,perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total,unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to theabove-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describetechnical features of one or more exemplifications of the patents,patent applications, patent publications, and other documents, are notconsidered to be incorporated by reference herein for any of thepatents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documentscited herein.

The description of the exemplification or exemplifications is believed,at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequatelydescribe the exemplification or exemplifications of this patentapplication. However, portions of the description of the exemplificationor exemplifications may not be completely applicable to the claims asoriginally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statementsmade relating to the exemplification or exemplifications are notintended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpretedas limiting the claims in any manner.

The details in the patents, patent applications, patent publications,and other documents cited herein may be considered to be incorporable,at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as furtherlimitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claimsfrom any applied prior art.

The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally toenable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of thispatent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of thispatent application. However, the title may not be completely applicableto the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, thedescription of the exemplification or exemplifications, and the claimsas originally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is notintended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpretedas limiting the claims in any manner.

The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b):

-   -   A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the        specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably        following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the        Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent        and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine        quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the        technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for        interpreting the scope of the claims.        Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not        intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be        interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The exemplifications of the invention described herein above in thecontext of the preferred exemplifications are not to be taken aslimiting the exemplifications of the invention to all of the provideddetails thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplifications ofthe invention.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
 1. A holder system for keeping items cool in acooling apparatus such as a refrigerator or freezer, said holder systemcomprising: a holder, said holder comprising slots configured to holdziplock-type bags, such as sealable plastic bags with a two-part stripcomprising an interlocking groove and ridge that form a tight seal whenpressed together along the opening which can be pressed together andreadily reopened; said holder being configured to be disposed in saidcooling apparatus; said holder being configured to be disposed such thatsaid ziplock-type bags, upon putting an item therein, hang from saidholder upon being disposed in said holder; slots being disposedsubstantially horizontally in said holder and configured to accept saidziplock-type bags by said slots comprising an upper portion and a lowerportion, substantially vertically disposed below said upper portion; anopening in said upper portion of said slot being wider than an openingin said lower portion of said slot to permit an upper portion of saidziplock-type bags being admitted and held in said upper portion of saidshot by said lower portion of said slots; and said lower portion beingnarrower than said upper portion in order to prevent said upper portionof said ziplock-type bags with the locking arrangement from enteringsaid narrower lower portion of said slots.
 2. The holder system forkeeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as a refrigerator orfreezer according to claim 1, wherein said slots are substantiallyparallel to one another.
 3. The holder system for keeping items cool ina cooling apparatus such as a refrigerator or freezer according to claim2, wherein said slots are disposed so that lengths of said slots aredisposed directly toward a user when inserting and withdrawing saidbags.
 4. The holder system for keeping items cool in a cooling apparatussuch as a refrigerator or freezer according to claim 3, wherein saidslots are disposed so that lengths of said slots are disposed obliquelytoward a user.
 5. The holder system for keeping items cool in a coolingapparatus such as a refrigerator or freezer according to claim 4,wherein said holder comprises extension side rails mounted to permitsaid holder to be pulled out and pushed into said first portion of saidcooling apparatus.
 6. A method of keeping items cool in a coolingapparatus such as a refrigerator or freezer according to claim 5, saidmethod comprising: obtaining a cooling apparatus comprising a condenser,an evaporator and a source of energy to permit cooling of saidevaporator, which cooling apparatus comprises a housing having twoportions, a first configured to hold said cooling apparatus and a secondconfigured to hold said items to be cooled and a closing arrangementconfigured to keep cooled air in said second portion of said coolingapparatus and cooling said items to be cooled; said first portion beingconfigured to hold said evaporator and said source of energy to permitcooling of said evaporator; said housing comprising walls to contain atleast said first portion; said second portion of said cooling apparatuscomprising said cooling portion comprising an arrangement to hold itemsto be cooled in said cooling portion; said second portion of saidcooling apparatus comprising inner walls configured to contain coolingair within said second portion of said cooling apparatus; disposing saidholder in said housing second portion configured to hold said items tobe cooled; disposing said holder on a surface in said second portionsuch that said ziplock-type bags, upon putting an item therein, hangfrom said holder upon being disposed in said holder; disposing saidslots substantially horizontally and configured to accept saidziplock-type bags by said slots which comprise an upper portion and alsoa lower portion each, substantially vertically disposed; disposing saidziplock-type bags in an opening in said upper portion being wider thanan opening in said lower portion to permit an upper portion of saidziplock-type bags permitting a locking portion of said ziplock-type bagsto be admitted and held by said holder while said lower portion of saidslots being narrower than said upper portion; preventing said upperportion of said ziplock-type bags to be hanged from entering saidnarrower lower portion of said slots; and connecting said source ofenergy to a source of power.
 7. The method of keeping items cool in acooling apparatus such as a refrigerator or freezer according to claim6, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: A) filling saidbags with said items by B) placing a bag on a concaved portion of theend of said filler and C) sliding at least one item into said placedbag; D) removing said placed bag from said end of said filler; E)closing and sealing said bag; F) sliding said filled bag in a slot insaid holder in said first portion of said cooling apparatus and G)cooling said items in said filled bag.
 8. The method of keeping itemscool in a cooling apparatus such as a refrigerator or freezer accordingto claim 7, wherein said method further comprises the step of repeatingsaid steps A through G.
 9. The method of keeping items cool in a coolingapparatus such as a refrigerator or freezer according to claim 8,including said slots substantially parallel to one another.
 10. Themethod of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer according to claim 9, including disposing saidslots so that lengths of said slots are disposed directly toward a userwhen inserting and withdrawing said bags.
 11. The method of keepingitems cool in a cooling apparatus such as a refrigerator or freezeraccording to claim 10, including disposing said slots so that lengths ofsaid slots are disposed obliquely toward a user; and inserting andwithdrawing said bags into and from said slots.
 12. The method ofkeeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as a refrigerator orfreezer according to claim 11, including mounting said holder extensionside rails to said holder and said cooling apparatus and permitting saidholder to be pulled out and pushed into said first portion of saidcooling apparatus.
 13. The method of keeping items cool in a coolingapparatus such as a refrigerator or freezer according to claim 12,wherein: said holder includes a handle configured to permit said holderto be pulled out of said cooling apparatus and permit said bags to beinserted and pulled out of said holder; and said method furthercomprises the steps: pulling said holder out of and pushing said holderback into said cooling apparatus; putting said bags into said slots; andremoving said bags from said slots.
 14. The method of keeping items coolin a cooling apparatus such as a refrigerator or freezer according toclaim 13, wherein said method further includes: subsequent to at leastpartially filling said bags, pushing said bags into a freezer tray withdivided individual portions and dividing the item in said pushed bag andthe filling into individual portions and forming individual portions inthe at least partially filled bag and freezing said bag filled withindividual portions; sliding said frozen filled bag into a slot in saidholder; storing said frozen filled bag in said cooling portion of saidcooling apparatus; removing said frozen filled bag from its slot in saidholder; removing at least one of said individual portions; replacing thenow partially filled bag with remaining individual portions therein intoa slot in said holder.
 15. A method of keeping items cool in a coolingapparatus such as a refrigerator or freezer, said method comprising:obtaining a cooling apparatus comprising a condenser, an evaporator anda source of energy to permit cooling of said evaporator; a housinghaving two portions, a first configured to hold said cooling apparatusand a second configured to hold said items to be cooled; a door to holdcooled air in said second portion; apparatus to open and close saidsecond portion; a holder comprising slots configured to holdziplock-type bags, such as sealable plastic bags with a two-part stripcomprising an interlocking groove and ridge that form a tight seal whenpressed together along the opening which can be pressed together andreadily reopenable; said holder being disposed in said housing secondportion configured to hold said items to be cooled; said holder beingdisposed on a surface in said second portion such that said ziplock-typebags, upon putting an item therein, hang from said holder upon beingdisposed in said holder; said slots being disposed substantiallyhorizontally and configured to accept said ziplock-type bags by saidslots comprising an upper portion and also a lower portion each,substantially vertically disposed; an opening in said upper portionbeing wider than an opening in said lower portion to permit an upperportion of said ziplock-type bags permitting a locking portion of saidziplock-type bags to be admitted and held by said holder while saidlower portion of said slots being narrower than said upper portion;preventing said upper portion of said ziplock-type bags to be hangedfrom entering said narrower lower portion of said slots; said secondportion of said cooling apparatus comprising said cooling portioncomprising an arrangement to hold items to be cooled in said coolingportion; a closing arrangement configured to keep cooled air in saidsecond portion of said cooling apparatus and cooling said items to becooled; and said first portion being configured to hold said evaporatorand said source of energy to permit cooling of said evaporator.
 16. Themethod of keeping items cool in a cooling apparatus such as arefrigerator or freezer according to claim 15, wherein said methodfurther comprises the steps of: A) filling said bags with said items byB) placing a bag on a concaved portion of the end of a filler and C)sliding at least one item into said placed bag; D) removing said placedbag from said end of said filler; E) closing and sealing said bag; F)sliding said filled bag in a slot in said holder in said first portionof said cooling apparatus and G) cooling said items in said filled bag;and repeating said steps A through G.
 17. The holding system for keepingitems cool in a cooling apparatus such as a refrigerator or freezeraccording to claim 1, wherein said ziplock-type bags comprising cornersadjacent said locking portion being abbreviated and permitting saidziplock-type bags to be guided into said slots without substantialresistance from said slots.